Store



Filed Aug. 4, 1951 2 Sheets-Sheet l Inventor 3 1420291922 [TH/2's pmm L qllorney Oct. 11, 1932. w c ELLIS 1,882,488

STORE Filed Aug. 4, 1951 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Imaenlor By 2mm Patented Oct. 11, 1932 UNITED S ATES PATENT OFFICE 'wum 0. mm, or run-r, zlncmour s'ron 4 Application filed s m 4, 1931. Serial :5. 555,112.

This invention relates generally to a store and more particularly to a self-service store and has for its primary object to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a store embodying a novel construction, combination and arrangement through the medium of which a large number of patrons may be conveniently served in aminimum length of ume.

' Another important object of the invention is to provide a store embodying an endless conveyor for carrying the merchandise past the customers in the store at a speed-whichwill permit any desired articles or products to be removed from said conveyor, the invent-iOIl further including a novel arrangement whereby the supply of articles or products on the conveyor may be conveniently replenlshed from the stock room of the store, said conveyor further being arranged to display the merchandise thereon through a show window in the front of the store. I

All of the foregoing and still further objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from a study of the followingspecification, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein like characters of reference designate correspond- Y ing parts throughout the several views, and

.wherein:-

Figure 1 is a diagrammatic plan view of a store in accordance with this invention.

Figure 2 is a view in vertical cross section taken substantially on the line 22 of Figure 1. v

The store 1 is provided with an entrance 2 at its front adjacent each side of which is a show window 3. Turnstiles 4 are provided adjacent the entrance 2- for the entrance and exit of customers. he reference numeral 5 designates a cashiers desk located between the turnstiles 4 and adjacent said desk is a seat 6. An endless conveyor 7 is disposed substantially centrally in the store and extends rearwardly therein from a 'point adjacent the cashiers seat 6.

Extending transversely in the rear portion of the store is-a partition 8 which provides a stock room 9. A counter 10 which may be used for any desired purpose is provided in the rear portion of the store and extends forwardly from the partition 8. A passageway. 11 is provided through the partition 8 from the stock room 9 to the counter 10. The partition 8 is further provided with a passagewa 12.

he reference numeral 13 designates generally an endless conveyor which is disposed. longitudinally along one side of the store 1 and which has one end disposed'adjacent'one of the show windows 3 in a manner to permit the merchandise on said conveyor'to be viewed through said-one show window. The other end portion of the conveyor 13 is operable through the passageway 12 of the partition 8 and extends into the stock'room 9. As best seen in Figure 2 of the drawings, the endless conveyor 13 comprises series of display racks '14 for the reception of merchandise. 'All of the racks 14 of the conveyor 13 ma be conveniently reached by persons stan ing on the floor ofthe store.

The conveyor 13 may be driven by'any suitable ineans. Seats 15 for the convenience of customers are provided adjacent the conveyor 13.

A plurality'of comparatively small endless conveyors 16 may be provided in the other side portion of the store, one of said endless conveyors 15 being preferably located adjacent the show window 3 on that side of the store in order that the merchandise may be displayed to persons on the street. The conveyors 16 may be similar in construction to the conveyor 13 and driven by any suitable means. I

In use, customers may repose on the seats 15 and remove any desired merchandise from the racks 14 of "the conveyor 13 as said 'merchandise is carried veyor. As the merchandise is removed from the conveyor 13, it may-conveniently be replaced by an attendant in the stock room 9 as the racks 14 from whichthe merchandise has been moved enter the stock room through the passage 12. The full racks of the conveyor 13 pass from the stock room along the adjacent wall of the store 1 and then move past the show window 3 adjacent which the forwardend of the conveyor 13 is disposed 10 past the seats by the con-' said partition having a passage for the purpose dise in an attractive manner street.

It is believed that the many advantages of a store in accordance with this invention will be readily understood and although the preferred embodiment of the invention is as illustrated and described, it is to stood that certain ch may be resorted to which will fall 'withm the scope of the invention as claimed. Y

What is claimed is:-

1. In combination, a store com rising a show window in one end and a stoc room in its other end portion, and an endless merchandise conveg'or in the store having one end disposed a jacent the show window for displaying the merchandise therethrough, and its other end extending into the stock room to facilitate placing the merchandise thereon from said stock room. p

2. In combination, a store including a show window in its front, a partition in the rear portion of the store providing a stock room, in one side portion thereof providing communication between thestore-and the stock room, and'an endless elongated merchandise conveyor- 10- cated in the store adjacent one of the side.

walls thereof and having one end located adjacent the show window for displaying the merchandise through said show window, the other end portion of the conveyor being operable through the gassagein the partition and extending into t e stock room to facilitate placing the merchandise thereon from said stock room.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

7 WARREN C. ELLIS.

of displaying the merchanto people on the be under- 

